Subscribe now

Environment

Nuclear waste tanker pilots futuristic aluminium sail

Adding blade-like sails to tankers could reduce their annual fuel consumption by up to 30 per cent, slashing the climate impact of the shipping industry

By Madeleine Cuff

23 October 2024

The Pacific Grebe is spending three weeks testing the FastRig sail

NTS/Smart Green Shipping

A tanker normally used to ship nuclear waste around the world is testing a new aluminium sail that could dramatically cut the fuel consumption and climate impact of ocean tankers.

The Pacific Grebe is spending three weeks in October travelling around the coast of the UK testing the FastRig, a 20-metre-tall sail designed to help propel large tankers across the high seas.

The retractable, blade-like sail weighs about 35 tonnes and can be unfurled in…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox! We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

Unlock this article

No commitment, cancel anytime*

Offer ends 15 January 2025.

*Cancel anytime within 14 days of payment to receive a refund on unserved issues.

Inclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)

or

Existing subscribers

Sign in to your account